2026 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Report

Week 7 | The Fantasy Football Almanac

By Week 7, I care much more about roles than last Sunday’s box scores. Injuries, rookies returning from injured reserve and four teams on bye have made this a particularly interesting waiver week. The Bills, Jaguars, Chargers and Commanders are idle, so some managers need immediate help while others can invest in the second half of the season.

Quick Priority List

1. Germie Bernard, WR, Pittsburgh — major target share

2. Mike Washington Jr., RB, Raiders — expanding role

3. Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Jets — impressive rookie return

4. Kendre Miller, RB, Saints — immediate carry volume

5. Jordan Mason, RB, Vikings — longer-term rushing upside

6. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Vikings — two favorable matchups

7. Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, Ravens — breakout stash

8. Terrance Ferguson, TE, Rams — injured-reserve upside

9. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints — potential second-half impact

10. Jonah Coleman, RB, Broncos — return from IR

Quarterbacks

There are some reasonable streamers, but I would not empty my waiver budget for a one-week quarterback.

C.J. Stroud, Texans — 43.8% rostered

Three straight 20-point fantasy outings, including 312 yards and three touchdowns against Jacksonville, put Stroud at the top of this group. Nico Collins is healthy and Marvin Harrison Jr. adds another weapon. The Giants matchup makes him a strong Week 7 start.

Kyler Murray, Vikings — 51% rostered

Check availability despite his slightly elevated roster percentage. He rushed for 51 yards before the bye and now draws Indianapolis, Detroit and Buffalo. That rushing floor is valuable.

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers — 42% rostered

Rodgers continues to throw frequently and has produced multiple touchdowns in four straight games. The Saints are a reasonable opponent for a bye-week streamer.

Geno Smith, Jets — 8% rostered

Miami has struggled to pressure quarterbacks, and Omar Cooper Jr.’s return gives Smith another receiving option. The matchup is more attractive than Smith’s overall consistency.

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers — 24% rostered

Mayfield is expected back from a thumb injury. If cleared, he offers proven passing ability and an attractive upcoming schedule. Confirm his health before committing.

J.J. McCarthy, Giants — 2% rostered

McCarthy flashed in relief of Jameis Winston, throwing for 243 yards and running effectively in a frantic comeback. The starter has not been confirmed, and a trailing game script inflated his opportunity. Superflex stash only.

Tanner McKee, Eagles — 4% rostered

McKee struggled in his first start, but Dallas has allowed major fantasy production to opposing passers. With Jalen Hurts out, McKee is a desperation streaming option.

Running Backs

This position offers a mixture of temporary starters and lottery tickets. Make sure your bid reflects which type of player you are buying.

Mike Washington Jr., Raiders — 37% rostered

Washington’s early-down involvement is growing while Ashton Jeanty has been limited. He ran nine times for 43 yards in Week 6. He is not yet the lead back, but the combination of standalone opportunity and handcuff upside makes him one of my preferred claims.

Kendre Miller, Saints — 34% rostered

Miller handled 20 carries for 70 yards against the Giants. With Alvin Kamara banged up and Travis Etienne Jr. on IR, Miller has one of the clearest short-term paths to touches. He is a practical RB3/flex, not an explosive weekly lock.

Jordan Mason, Vikings — 51.6% rostered

Mason could return from a thumb injury after Minnesota’s bye. He previously shared early-down work and short-yardage opportunities with Aaron Jones. He offers more longer-term value than immediate certainty.

Jonah Coleman, Broncos — 31% rostered

Coleman is eligible to return from IR. Neither J.K. Dobbins nor RJ Harvey has established an efficient rushing attack, giving the rookie a path to earn meaningful work. Stash before that opportunity becomes obvious.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants — 4% rostered

Tracy scored twice as Cam Skattebo’s role shrank. The Giants remain a committee, so I would not pay for those touchdowns alone. Tracy is worth a speculative add because he has previously handled a large workload.

Bam Knight, Cardinals — 1% rostered

Knight outplayed Tyler Allgeier while Jeremiyah Love was sidelined, rushing for 80 yards. His value is heavily dependent on Love missing another game and Knight being healthy.

Dylan Sampson, Browns — 8.4% rostered

Sampson may return from IR as Cleveland navigates injuries to Quinshon Judkins and others. He has a route to carries, but check the injury report. Jaleel McLaughlin is a short-term alternative if Judkins remains out.

Roschon Johnson, Bears — 8% rostered

Johnson produced 85 scrimmage yards and a score while Kyle Monangai was out. The favorable game script boosted his workload, so view him as a deeper-league flex rather than a guaranteed repeat.

Tyjae Spears, Titans — 33.3% rostered

Spears’ immediate role is modest, but Tony Pollard could be a trade candidate. A deal could make Spears much more valuable. This is a bench bet on a possible change, not a Week 7 starter.

Wide Receivers

This is the deepest group on the wire. I prefer rookies earning full-time work to veterans whose value depends on one broken play.

Germie Bernard, Steelers — 50% rostered

Bernard is my favorite overall add. Injuries to Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson have made him a featured receiver, and he responded with 11 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown on 12 targets. That kind of usage is far more sustainable than a single long touchdown.

Omar Cooper Jr., Jets — 14% rostered

The first-round rookie returned from injury and immediately caught six passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. His playing time and versatility suggest New York wants him involved. Adonai Mitchell’s return creates some uncertainty, but Cooper is a priority upside claim.

Ja’Kobi Lane, Ravens — 24% rostered

Lane caught four passes for 40 yards in his return from a wrist injury. Rashod Bateman’s shoulder injury could increase his playing time, and Lamar Jackson’s potential return would improve the entire passing offense.

Jordyn Tyson, Saints — 54% rostered

Tyson remains on IR with a hamstring injury and may not return until after the Week 8 bye. He cannot help immediately, but the eighth overall pick has a realistic path to second-half relevance.

Tre Tucker, Raiders — 47% rostered

Tucker’s 97 yards and two touchdowns against Buffalo were eye-catching, but his improved reception floor matters more. He has at least four catches in five consecutive games. Tough upcoming opponents limit his appeal as an automatic starter.

KC Concepcion Jr., Browns — 45.4% rostered

Concepcion’s production has lagged his strong snap and route participation. Tennessee presents an attractive Week 7 matchup, making him a useful bye-week flex with additional upside.

Antonio Williams, Commanders — 10.1% rostered

Terry McLaurin’s injury could open a larger role, but Washington is on bye and rotates its receivers. Williams is a longer-term stash rather than immediate help.

Malik Washington, Dolphins — 41% rostered

Washington earns regular short-area targets and has a solid PPR floor despite Miami’s struggling offense. He is a better choice for steady receptions than for home-run upside.

Jaylin Noel, Texans — 7% rostered

Noel has three straight useful fantasy outings, capped by 107 yards and a touchdown. The concern is that he runs routes mainly in three-receiver sets while Nico Collins, Marvin Harrison Jr. and potentially Tank Dell compete for targets. A promising stash, but not a guaranteed weekly starter.

DeMario Douglas, Patriots — 13.9% rostered

Douglas has 151 yards and three touchdowns in two games. His slot-only role restricts snaps, but improved quarterback play and a Chicago matchup make him a reasonable short-term flex.

Keenan Allen, Colts — 47% rostered

Allen has 19 receptions in three games. Minnesota is a tough matchup this week, but Jacksonville and Dallas follow. He is a useful PPR depth pickup if you can wait.

Tight Ends

The Rams’ changing passing game creates an immediate option and a longer-term stash.

T.J. Hockenson, Vikings — 44% rostered

Hockenson caught 13 passes for 119 yards in his last full game and draws the Colts and Lions. Confirm he has cleared concussion protocol, but he is my favorite immediate tight-end option.

Terrance Ferguson, Rams — 13% rostered

Ferguson can return from IR in Week 8. With Davante Adams expected to miss substantial time, the athletic tight end could earn more targets. He is a high-upside stash.

Michael Mayer, Raiders — 14.9% rostered

Mayer caught seven passes for 95 yards despite sharing the field with Brock Bowers. Las Vegas uses enough two-tight-end sets for Mayer to matter, though his schedule is difficult.

Tyler Higbee, Rams — 35% rostered

Higbee has been a major part of the Rams’ tight-end rotation and gets Las Vegas this week. Adams’ absence could boost his opportunity. He is the more practical Week 7 Rams option.

Chig Okonkwo, Commanders — 16% rostered

Okonkwo’s route involvement has improved since returning from injury, and he caught seven passes for 69 yards in Week 6. Washington is on bye, but McLaurin’s injury could create longer-term targets.

Brenton Strange, Jaguars — 44.2% rostered

Strange has been a consistent receiving option and is useful in PPR leagues, but Jacksonville is on bye. Add him if you want a steadier rest-of-season option rather than Week 7 points.

Hunter Henry, Patriots — 51% rostered

Henry has been productive and has favorable upcoming opponents. Check availability despite his roster rate.

D/ST

I continue to stream defenses based on opponent, sacks and turnover opportunities rather than last week’s final score.

Cleveland Browns — 34.1% rostered

Cleveland has scored well in consecutive games and faces a Tennessee offense struggling to move the ball. My preferred streamer.

New York Jets — 23.1% rostered

The Jets have generated sacks and turnovers, and Miami has been vulnerable on offense. A strong alternative.

Carolina Panthers — 28% rostered

Carolina limited Philadelphia in Week 6. The Tampa Bay quarterback decision matters: the Panthers are more appealing if Baker Mayfield cannot return.

Tennessee Titans — 5% rostered

Tennessee has improved and faces a Cleveland offense that has surrendered many sacks. A deep streaming option.

Dallas Cowboys — 18% rostered

Dallas has struggled badly, but Philadelphia’s offensive injuries create a desperation streaming opportunity. Low confidence, low cost.

My Final Thoughts

My two favorite additions are Germie Bernard and Omar Cooper Jr. Bernard already has the targets of a starter; Cooper has the pedigree and immediate opportunity to grow into one. Those are stronger bets than chasing an isolated touchdown.

At running back, Mike Washington Jr. is the upside play, while Kendre Miller is more useful if you need carries right now. Jordan Mason and Jonah Coleman are longer-term investments. Match your waiver claim to what your roster actually needs.

At tight end, Hockenson and Higbee offer more immediate value if healthy, while Ferguson and Okonkwo may pay off later. As always, I want the snaps, routes and touches that create repeatable chances to score—not merely last Sunday’s fantasy points.